Arrowshaped Micrathena
Micrathena sagittata
This record describes Micrathena sagittata (species). Recorded family: Araneidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Female: three pairs of pointed tubercles on the abdomen, with the rear pair large and spreading to give the abdomen a triangular look. Tubercles are black-tipped and red at the base. The center of the dorsum is yellow. Male abdomen does not have spines, widest at rear. Palp: Web often has a short stabilimentum above the hub. This spider does not pose a danger to humans (and neither do any others in this family).
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Builds webs in open woods.
Geographic Range
e. US to Texas and Nebraska.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Micrathena sagittata (Walckenaer, 1841)
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Micrathena sagittata. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
As of 2023, 51,673 spider species in 136 families have been recorded, though an estimated 150,000 species exist. Spiders rank 7th in total species diversity among all organism orders. Only 0.5% of spider species pose any risk to human health.
Ecological role of the group
Spider venom contains complex peptides with diverse pharmacological activities, making them valuable for drug development research. Spiders produce up to 7 types of silk from specialized glands. Spider silk genes have been inserted into mammals and plants for biotech applications.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The global spider community kills an estimated 400-800 million tons of prey annually (2017 study). Spiders provide billions of dollars in natural pest control for agriculture. Spider silk is 5× stronger than steel of the same diameter, driving a biomaterials research industry.
Recorded sources for this group: World Spider Catalog, PNAS, Nature, ScienceDirect. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Arrowshaped Micrathena (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Troy Bartlett; Additional contributions by Mike Boone , Hannah Nendick-Mason , Beatriz Moisset , cheins , Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn , kschnei
Frequently Asked Questions About Arrowshaped Micrathena
What is Arrowshaped Micrathena?
Arrowshaped Micrathena (Micrathena sagittata) is a species in the family Araneidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Arrowshaped Micrathena?
Female 8-9mm, Male 4-5mm
How do you identify Arrowshaped Micrathena?
Female: three pairs of pointed tubercles on the abdomen, with the rear pair large and spreading to give the abdomen a triangular look. Tubercles are black-tipped and red at the base. The center of the dorsum is yellow. Male abdomen does not have spines, widest at rear. Palp:
Where is Arrowshaped Micrathena found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Builds webs in open woods. |
| Range | e. US to Texas and Nebraska. |